Chapter 19

Prepare to greet the guest.

It is the Demon Lord of Desire, Eligor, who has come in person.

No amount of caution is too much.

While confirming the trump card, a monster stored in the [Storage], I turn to Siegel.

"Master, I'll handle it with a puff!"

"Have you recovered enough magic power to use [Perfect Imitation]?"

"Hehehe, not yet naturally, but by adding some expensive and valuable items, I can manage it."

"That's it. I don't want to use that. But if necessary, don't hesitate."

There are two types of magic power recovery.

One increases the amount of magic power recovered, and the other adds magic power.

For an S-rank monster, the latter is like pouring water on a burnt stone.

However, what Siegel possesses is a legendary item, which provides sufficient recovery.

It is a trump card for emergencies, and even I find it difficult to obtain.

"Got it! I'm wondering who to transform into. Lady Quina is a sure thing, but Lord Marco and Lord Duke are also options. Even that despicable Gru is fine. Hehehe, Siegel loves to overwhelm with overwhelming power."

This slime, her eyes are scary.

Due to her low stats in normal form, she gets high when she gains strong power through [Perfect Imitation].

Siegel is extremely excellent and convenient, but her tendency to get carried away is a flaw.

"Let's go."

"Puff!"

I wonder what that Demon Lord is thinking.

◇

Going outside, I have the High Elves guide the guest to their destination.

We have a wind alert system in place, and if someone enters the city area, the High Elves will capture them and, if they are a person of interest, immediately start surveillance.

As long as they are in the city area, we won't attack unless they engage in destructive activities, but if they step into the underground, we are prepared to intercept them immediately.

"What is the Demon Lord of Desire, Eligor, up to?"

"Hey there. I came to visit, Demon Lord of Creation, Procell. Your city is quite plain. Is it because it's newly built?"

...This is a provisional dungeon, but when the city is criticized, a competitive spirit arises.

I want to show him Avalon.

"Visiting? You must be joking. You're not that kind of Demon Lord."

There are Demon Lords who live by emotion and those who live by reason.

This one is the latter.

Despite his casual tone and attitude, there is a cold calculation behind it.

There's no way a Demon Lord would take the risk of personally entering another Demon Lord's dungeon just for that.

"I'm not lying. I did come to visit. I just have other business as well."

She smirks.

"Let's have some tea. I'll show you to the mansion."

"Wow, you let other Demon Lords in so easily?"

"I would do the same. Since you came to talk today, I have no intention of treating you rudely."

If he intended to attack, he would bring a larger force.

He's not stupid enough to think he could take this place with just ten stored monsters.

"In that case, I'll take you up on your offer."

What does he intend to talk about?

I should be prepared to some extent.

◇

Tea is prepared in the mansion's guest room.

I had Siegel make the tea. The High Elves and Dwarf Smiths still need to learn the techniques.

I can't entrust the tea for a guest to them yet.

"Wow, it's delicious. I've never had such a wonderful tea. I thought I was pretty good at collecting quality items without worrying about cost, but now I'm not so sure."

The tea served was stored in Siegel's body.

When I was in Avalon, I collected tea leaves from all over the world, combined the ones I liked, and improved the varieties.

"I'm glad you like it. I'm not sure what this Demon Lord prefers."

"Humanoid Demon Lords should all enjoy it. It clears the mind. Can I have some of these tea leaves? I really like them."

"I can't do that. You can get them in Avalon, but not here."

"I see, so you made them there. I didn't know."

While saying this, the Demon Lord of Desire, Eligor, nibbled on the apple pie served with the tea and seemed to enjoy it, her eyes shining.

"Phew, delicious. My stomach is full, let's talk. I came here today to invite you to the [Night Gathering]."

"Hmm, the [Night Gathering], huh?"

A gathering where Demon Lords from all over the world gather to deepen their bonds.

I confirmed its existence when I last spoke with her.

"Can I participate? The [Night Gathering] I know is where the Creator forcibly [Transfers] the Demon Lords to the venue. Even if you want to participate, the Creator must agree."

"Don't worry. I've already talked to the Creator."

"The Creator listens to the Demon Lords?"

"That's right. I'm a favorite and special. ...I think you should participate. You'll be here for a while. It's better to know about the potential enemies."

"Is that so? Without knowing their existence, they won't target me. My dungeon doesn't look like a dungeon on the surface. It won't be noticed easily. The most efficient way to protect myself is to avoid contact with anyone. That is, assuming you don't tell the other Demon Lords about me."

Currently, the only Demon Lord who knows about me in this world is the Demon Lord of Desire, Eligor.

As long as she keeps quiet, I'm safe.

Furthermore, the most certain way to ensure my safety would be to eliminate her.

I don't like that method, and I'm not sure about Eligor's power, so I won't do it.

"That's naive. A well-informed Demon Lord will notice you sooner than you think. Besides, do you think the Creator will leave you alone?"

"I don't think so. The Creator I know wouldn't."

"Correct. I was able to come here because the Creator told me the location. Otherwise, it would have taken me about a week to find it. I approached the Creator, but they were enthusiastic. ...It felt like they were waiting for me to make the offer. It wouldn't be surprising if they did more than just tell me your location."

I'm certain. The Creator is the same in both worlds.

The Creator seems to favor me, though in a different way from Eligor.

They started toying with me now because it wouldn't have been interesting to provoke the other Demon Lords when I was still in a state of emotional hunger and with an incomplete dungeon.

Until recently, I was in a state of emotional hunger and had just built my dungeon without proper defenses.

If I had been targeted then, it wouldn't have been a fair fight.

If a powerful Demon Lord had targeted me, I wouldn't have been able to resist without resorting to extreme measures, and the fight would have been one-sided regardless of who won.

That wouldn't be entertaining to watch.

Now, with just enough strength and defenses, it's the most interesting situation to watch.

It's frustrating to realize this.

"Fine. I'll go to the [Night Gathering]."

Given the Creator's nature,

they will definitely impose a penalty if I don't go.

It smells like they are preparing options. They could forcibly [Transfer] me to the [Night Gathering], but they are deliberately not doing so.

At such times, the Creator will make you regret for life if you decide not to attend the [Night Gathering] on your own.

"Good. By the way, you can bring up to three monsters, but they must be small enough to fit through the dance hall."

"I understand."

Siegel is a certainty, and I'll think about the other two.

In principle, combat is not allowed at the [Night Gathering], but there are exceptions.

I was brought here through a loophole.

"Look forward to it. I'll show you the monster I created using the medal I received from you at the [Night Gathering]."

"Is it okay to reveal it?"

An S-rank monster has overwhelming power. One such monster can change the tide of battle.

If its existence is kept hidden, it can throw off the calculations of enemy Demon Lords during a [War].

"It's fine. It's a child to fulfill my dream."

I don't understand, but if Eligor is doing it, there must be a reason.

"Well, I'll be going. I'll be busy preparing for the [Night Gathering]. I'll let you know the date later."

I won't ask what he will be busy with.

The [Night Gathering] is essentially a reunion. ...But the Creator occasionally throws in surprise events.

There's not much preparation needed.

I saw Eligor off.

My wish to spend the time until I return to Avalon peacefully will probably not come true.

Therefore, I will try to use this situation to bring back souvenirs from Avalon.

To make sure my visit here is not in vain.